Paul Markovich, president and chief executive officer of Blue Shield of California, has been elected chairman of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association (BCBSA) board of directors.

As chairman, Markovich will assume leadership of BCBSA’s governing body and will preside over quarterly meetings of the association’s board of directors. This governing body adopts policies applicable to the nation’s Blue Cross and Blue Shield (BCBS) companies and provides strategic guidance and oversight for the Association. BCBSA is comprised of the 36 independent, community-based and locally operated Blue Cross and Blue Shield (BCBS) companies.

Markovich, who took the helm of Blue Shield of California in 2013, has led the company through a period of growth and diversification. During his tenure, the company has increased the number of Californians it serves from 3.3 million to four million and has diversified its business with an acquisition that brought the company into California’s Medicaid market, according to the company statement.

It added that under Markovich’s leadership, Blue Shield also played a key role in forming Manifest MedEx, California’s largest health information exchange, to make it easier for providers and insurers to collaborate on patient care by creating integrated, useful medical records. In addition, Blue Shield has increased the number of patient-focused care programs with medical providers and now boasts 42 accountable care organizations across California.

"Paul’s record as an innovator and his expertise in using medical data to help improve the health care delivery system are assets not only for Blue Shield members, but for The Blues® nationwide," said Scott Serota, president and chief executive officer of BCBSA. "Under Paul’s leadership, members nationwide will continue to experience the security and stability they’ve come to expect from their Blue Cross and Blue Shield coverage."

As a member of the BCBSA board of directors, Markovich was chairman of its data board and has served on its brand enhancement and protection committee. He also serves on the board of directors of America’s Health Insurance Plans and the California Association of Health Plans.

Markovich commented: "It’s an honor to lead the BCBSA Board during this time of unprecedented change as we collectively work to provide access to high-quality, affordable healthcare coverage for all Americans."

BCBSA is headquartered in Chicago with an additional office in Washington, D.C. Markovich will serve as its chairman until the annual BCBSA board of directors meeting in November 2018.